Roadstar Magazine to Shutter in January

Newport Communications’ Roadstar, an award-winning magazine that serves the trucking industry, will cease publication in January, FOLIO: has learned.

The heavy-trucking market, hard-hit since 9/11, has seen dwindling advertiser support and, according to a source with knowledge of the company’s operations, Newport may relaunch the magazine in a different form, possibly digital.

Newport vice president and publisher Martin McClellan was traveling and did not immediately return requests seeking comment.

The 156,900-circulation Roadstar, distributed in truck stops throughout the country, was launched in 2000 after Newport, which had been custom-publishing an association magazine called National Trucker News, lost the account.

According to the source, no layoffs are expected, as staff members may be reassigned to other Newport titles, such as Heavy Duty Trucking.

SourceMedia CEO Doug Manoni has been named chairman of ABM. Manoni, who most recently was vice chair of the business media association, will succeed outgoing chairman Neal Vitale. His term starts immediately.